New Mac Pros: Now Featuring the Xeon "Nehalem" Processor

It’s sad but true: there are still many conference centers, hotels, and office buildings that lack Wi-Fi. However, many of these do offer hardwired internet access via Ethernet or (egads) a dial-up connection. If you’re solo, this is only a minor inconvenience. However, if you’re traveling or working with other people, a single wired connection can be a major productivity block.

Fortunately, Mac OS X makes it easy to share a single wired internet connection over a Mac’s built-in AirPort wireless card, to other computers that also have wireless capabilities. Except for the Mac Pro, every Mac released since early 2006 has featured a built-in AirPort card (which is what Apple calls its brand of wireless card).

This tip works best from a wired Ethernet internet connection, but I’ve read that it will also work with a cellular internet connection, such as those provided by Verizon, Sprint, etc.

To share an internet connection via a Mac’s Wi-Fi, first connect the Ethernet cable to the Mac that will be serving as the base station.

Next, navigate to that Mac’s System Preferences panel (found under the Apple in the upper left corner of the screen) and select *Sharing*. When the Sharing panel opens, select *Internet Sharing* (note that you won’t be able to check the Internet Sharing box until other options are configured). Next, make sure *”Share your connection from: Ethernet”* is selected in the drop-down list.

Since we want to share our Mac’s connection wirelessly, click *AirPort* in the “To Computers using:” box. Finally, click the *AirPort Options* button to give your new network a name and password. When you have everything the way you like it, turn Internet sharing on.

The Mac serving as base station will still be able to surf the web while others piggyback on its internet connection. Any device with Wi-Fi (including the iPhone and iPod touch) will be able to share this connection.

It is Daylight Savings Time on Sunday. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour. This is going to cause a wicked case of spring fever in at least one Vermonter. Can I get my motorcycle out yet?

It is March though, and that usually means we will have at least a couple of big snow storms before we see spring. The local public radio station is broadcasting “signs of spring” and there are some good ones. I haven’t seen any robins, crocuses or bluebirds, however, I have seen taps in maple trees and sugaring season is here with cold nights and sunny days. What are your favorite signs of spring?

Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,
_Don, Kali and Ed_

Time Capsule and AirPort models were updated on Tuesday, adding some fun and much-needed features.

New features on both:
* *Simultaneous Dual-Band WiFi:* Time Caspule and AirPort Extreme now work on both 2.4GHz (the same frequency as cordless phones, by the way) and 5GHz bands at the same time.
* *Guest Networking:* Now Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme offer a WiFi network option expressly for visitors, meaning guests use a different password on a separate network (keeping those passwords safe!).

Wireless drive sharing and printing is still featured on both, as well as integration with iPhone and Apple TV. They have remained at the same price points.

*Time Capsule*
Apple’s solution for automatic “no hassle” backups. There are still two storage options, 500GB and 1TB, and it includes the same easy wireless networking capability.

* “500GB:”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73304 *$299.99*
* “1TB:”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73303 *$499.99*

*AirPort Extreme*
The wireless router that gives you more. It still offers fast, 802.11n WiFi access for Macs and PCs and other WiFi devices such as iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV.

* “AirPort Extreme Base Station:”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73301 *$179.99*

_Dear Friends,_

The big news this week is a complete refresh of Apple’s Macintosh desktop computers. iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros were all upgraded this week and new versions of the Apple Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme Base Station were released. We will review this new products in this issue of Kibbles & Bytes and should have most of these new products in stock next week.

Apple reduced prices and increased the features of these new desktop Macs and now, more than ever, the value of a Mac transcends the advantages of the Mac operating system, ease of use and reliability. With the ability to run both Mac OS and Windows, the value of a Mac becomes more absolute. Apple desktops are simply the most versatile and best value in desktop personal computers. One recent analysis compared the new $1499 24-inch iMac to all-in-one offerings from Dell and HP. The iMac was less expensive, had a faster processor and RAM, had a bigger hard drive and faster video. With bundled iLife and Mac OS X Leopard the value is striking.

I organized a selection of my photos from Tanzania. If you are interested in taking a look you can surf over to my personal website at: http://www.donmayer.org/Don_Mayer/Tanzania.html

It was Town Meeting week here in Vermont. Each town held meetings, schools were closed and towns voted on their budgets, elected town officials and voted on numerous resolutions. About 40 towns in Vermont had resolutions regarding our aging nuclear plant in Vernon. All but a couple passed resolutions urging the legislature to not permit the relicensing of the plant for another 20 years beyond its design life.

I am also pleased to announce that Small Dog Electronics has received two prestigious awards. We were selected as one of ten companies as The Best Places to Work in Vermont. The rankings will come out in a couple of weeks, but we are very honored to be included. In addition, I learned yesterday that the Vermont Retail Association has selected us as one of two companies for their Greentailer of the Year award. This annual award recognizes the Vermont retailer that best exemplifies overall environmental excellence in its business practices.

View specials while on-hand supplies last. Please note that some specials may not be available in our retail stores; check for availability.

See all specials on our “Specials Page.”:http://www.smalldog.com/specials

We’ve been seeing very strong interest in iWork ’09 since it was released in January. Many people seem to be considering iWork ’09 over Microsoft Office. Both are great programs, and I recommend both. However, over the past year I’ve used Office two or three times, but use iWork daily. Numbers is fulfilling my Excel needs, Pages, my Word needs, and Keynote, my presentation needs.

iWork is normally $79.99 and the Home and Student version of Office is $149.99. While the Home and Student version of Office can legally be installed on up to three machines, the lower price (and powerful features) of iWork ’09 is probably helping to drive demand.

We wanted to remind everyone that, until April 20, there is a $30 mail-in rebate on iWork ’09 when purchased with any new Mac. This brings the final cost to $49.99 (and even less when purchased as part of one of our bundles).

You can read more and download the rebate “by clicking here.”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag18756/

Here’s a bundle with iWork and an upgraded version of the most popular MacBook we’re selling: it’s an aluminum MacBook 2.0GHz 4GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, Incase Sleeve, iWork ’09 ($30 rebate on iWork ’09). We charge $1489.99 with free shipping and no sales tax on orders that ship out of Vermont. After the rebate, the final cost is $1459.99!